Companies strive to have a positive culture. Why? Because it comes with many benefits, it’s proven to:

Attract talent

Drive employee engagement

Increase happiness in the workplace

Drive performance

Boost employee satisfaction levels

However, company culture doesn’t just affect how employees work and their experience in general. It also impacts how leadership is carried out within the organization – the way in which leaders communicate and interact with employees, it shapes their vision and beliefs, the way performance is celebrated; how management is organized – its role in empowering employees, providing support, interacting with fellow colleagues and how they act; it influences the work practices carried out in the organization – how the recruitment process works, implementation of onboarding, employee work/life balance and wellness, recognition, time off, training and benefits received; the people of the company – who you hire, their personality, values and skills; the companies mission, values, vision and work environment – the décor of the office, their layout, colours, furniture, common areas, etc. all have a big impact and can say a lot about a company’s culture.

How can I define my company culture?

Generally, company culture isn’t implemented but forms naturally around the way an organization chooses to function. It doesn’t have a strict definition. The actions that take place daily within the workplace all work towards how the company culture is perceived.

In order to find out what your company’s culture is, first of all, you need to step back and take a look at all the things that contribute towards it. Take time to assess your culture, become self-aware and evaluate what you see. In addition to this, you can pass an employee survey on a regular basis to help you determine the perception of your employees.

Next, ask yourself do you have a healthy working culture? Look into the aspects you can improve and the things that need to be changed. A company’s culture is always a work in progress. It should become a part of your business strategy as it’s a key factor when it comes to your employee’s wellbeing and satisfaction. If you do achieve a healthy company culture it becomes a work benefit. Not only for those already employed and for future employees, as it can say a lot about how you value your staff, demonstrate trust and openness.

Some examples of practices put into action in a healthy work culture include:

Flexible working hours and work demands

Generous holidays

Career breaks

Employee networks

Management visibility

Currently, many companies are opting to have a coaching work culture, in the interest of boosting employees career development. This implies improving certain leadership skills such as: listening, questioning, empathy, giving feedback and recognizing employees’ strengths, and allowing them to reach a solution on their own.

Finally, company culture is not something that should be overlooked. It can set the tone for how employees are treated, as a result, it improves their experience with the company. It’s also a big influence on how your company is seen by prospective clients and future talent, as well as changing the way internal communication is carried out in the organization. If you’d like help improving your company culture, take a look at our services here.